Monotony Fields
| Monotony Fields | ||||
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| Shape of Despair's studio album | ||||
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Publication |
June 15, 2015 |
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admission |
2013-2014 |
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| Label (s) | Season of Mist | |||
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Format (s) |
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Title (number) |
8th |
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running time |
74 min 25 s |
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Max Kostermaa |
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Studio (s) |
City Lights Studio |
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Monotony Fields ( English 'fields of monotony') is the fourth studio album by the Finnish funeral doom band Shape of Despair . It was released on June 15, 2015 via Season of Mist and is the first album with singer Henri Koivula. The cover of the album shows the blurred image of a person in the mirror and was created by Mariusz Krystw, who was already responsible for the covers of the previous albums.
Emergence
production
Singer Pasi Koskinen left the band in 2011 and was replaced by Henri Koivula ( Throes of Dawn ) that same year . After the change, the first work on the new album began. Jarno Salomaa and Tomi Ullgren wrote the songs, while Henri Koivula wrote the lyrics.
According to Jarno Salomaa, the recordings were very slow and lasted more than two weeks. At first only the guitars were completely recorded over a weekend, as Sami Uusitalo and Samu Ruotsalainen were on tour with their band Finntroll at that time . This was followed by the recording of the singing, spread over the week and often after work. The following weekend, drums and bass were finally recorded. Salomaa describes the procedure as simple, but would not prefer it on the next album.
The mixing took Max Kostermaa which even at Throes of Dawn was responsible for the mix. The process took longer than usual and was problematic. According to Salomaa, however, the album was mixed without any time pressure, as the band had not yet signed a contract with a label at the time.
When asked why the song Written In My Scars , which was first released in 2010 on the EP of the same name , was re-recorded for the album, Salomaa replied:
“Well it was a must. The quality of the EP was bad and I knew we could make it sound better. Other than that, the song is great and, with a small change, fits the album perfectly as a bonus track. "
publication
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In October 2014 Shape of Despair signed a contract with Season of Mist and at the same time announced the new album. In March 2015 the title of the album was announced, on April 21, 2015 the song Monotony Fields was released as a premiere. This was followed by the songs Descending Inner Night and The Distant Dream of Life , before the entire album was offered online for free audition shortly before the release. The album was released as a regular CD version in digipak and as a double LP .
When asked why fans had to wait more than 10 years for a new album, Natalie Koskinen answered as follows:
“On the one hand, there is no exact reason for our 'short' break, but on the other hand there are a lot of reasons. After Pasi left the band, it took a while before we found a replacement. [...] At the same time, we are all involved in other projects. "
Salomaa adds:
"I'm not blaming anyone ... We weren't very active from the start ... We only released a few albums and didn't do a single live show before '12. But I admit those years have been too long. All sorts of personal problems, the tours and recordings with other bands etc. have only pushed Shape of Despair further away. "
Musical style
The band's music has been described as slow, depressing and atmospheric since the first album, but according to Stephan Voigtländer, the increased keyboard areas on the album Monotony Fields are noticeable, which "make the music even more spherical". According to Alex Klug, these are supported by “simple but effective six-string chord structures”, with “some time passing” between the guitar strikes. On organs and violins , which the previous albums were dominant, was waived, only samples found sporadically application, such as Descending Inner Night . Voigtländer also notes that the proportion of male clear vocals has increased compared to the growls . The latter are now less scratchy, but gloomy and depressed. According to Voigtländer, "melancholy and hopelessness still rule," but these would be "catchier and more harmonious than on the band's previous albums". For Alex Klug, "every now and then there is a little hope". In terms of content, topics such as negative experiences, loss and longing are dealt with.
reception
| source | rating |
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| Decibel |
 
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| Metal.de |
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| Powermetal.de |
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| Metal hammer |
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| The Metal Observer |
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| Stormbringer |
 
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In the July 2015 issue, the German magazine Metal Hammer awarded 6 out of 7 possible points. It is fascinating "the interplay between slowly dragging reef giants, the threatening rumble [...] and the angelic vocal interludes of singer Natalie Koskinen." The soundscapes are dark, but at the same time magical and wonderful. Besides Shape of Despair, there would be "hardly any other band that combines Funeral Doom so beautifully with haunting melodies and a melancholy atmosphere."
Alex Klug from Metal.de comes to the conclusion that Shape of Despair succeeded in “delivering quality”. Thanks to "massive production [...] not a single ounce of pressure is lost". Natalie Koskinen's singing proves to be a “brilliant unique selling point”, while Henri Koivula would not only continue the experiments with clear singing, but would surpass his predecessor in this regard. At the end of the day, the “fantastic, because contemporary sound conditions” would convince. Klug awarded 9 out of 10 points.
Stephan Voigtländer from Powermetal.de is also positive . There is “a lot to discover” on the album, it is less monotonous than other Funeral Doom albums. The “high proportion of gripping harmonies” ensures “a strong counterpoint to the dark, dragging hustle and bustle”. The growls are darker than on the previous albums, plus "the versatility of the vocals and a whole bunch of impressive melodies". He awarded 9.5 out of 10 possible points.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Rex_84: Shape of Despair Discusses New Album "Monotony Fields". metalunderground.com, accessed August 25, 2015 .
- ↑ a b Miriam C .: Natalie Koskinen - Shape of Despair. femmemetalwebzine.com, accessed September 10, 2015 .
- ↑ a b Alex Klug: Interview with Natalie Koskinen about "Monotony Fields". (No longer available online.) Metal.de, archived from the original on August 3, 2015 ; accessed on August 24, 2015 .
- ↑ a b c José Branco: SHAPE OF DESPAIR: Still dreaming ... (Interview w / Jarno Salomaa). (No longer available online.) Againstmagazine.com, archived from the original on Aug. 10, 2015 ; accessed on August 24, 2015 .
- ↑ a b c Giorgos Nimas: Interview with Shape Of Despair. metalinvader.net, accessed August 24, 2015 .
- ↑ Frank Jaeger: SHAPE OF DESPAIR from now on at Season Of Mist. Powermetal.de , accessed on August 24, 2015 .
- ↑ SHAPE OF DESPAIR. season-of-mist.com, accessed August 24, 2015 .
- ↑ Listen to the new Shape Of Despair song 'Monotony Fields' here. metal-hammer.de, accessed on August 25, 2015 .
- ↑ reini: SHAPE OF DESPAIR - stormbringer.at Song premiere: "Descending Inner Night". Stormbringer.at, accessed on August 25, 2015 .
- ↑ reini: SHAPE OF DESPAIR - new song "The Distant Dream of Life". Stormbringer.at, accessed on August 25, 2015 .
- ↑ Hang Mai Le: SHAPE OF DESPAIR on stream at Metalobsession. Powermetal.de , accessed on August 24, 2015 .
- ↑ Shape Of Despair - Monotony Fields. discogs.com, accessed August 24, 2015 .
- ^ Shape of Despair: Angels of Distress. metal.de, accessed on September 11, 2015 .
- ↑ a b c d e f g Stephan Voigtländer: Hopelessness wrapped in sound can be so beautiful. Powermetal.de , accessed on August 24, 2015 .
- ↑ a b c d e Alex Klug: Shape Of Despair "Monotony Fields". metal.de, accessed on August 24, 2015 .
- ↑ a b reini: Shape of Despair - Monotony Fields. Stormbringer.at, accessed on September 6, 2015.
- ↑ Chris Dick: Monotony Fields Killing-it Fields. Decibel , accessed September 6, 2015.
- ↑ a b In: Metal Hammer No. 07/2015
- ↑ James Bushnell: Shape of Despair - Monotony Fields - (9/10). metal-observer.com, accessed September 6, 2015.